The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1887-01-06
Washington Letter
D our regnlar correspondent.

WASHINGTON, d. ca
January 3, 1875
The great annual leYee at the White
House last Saturday passed off pleas
antly to both host and guests. Legisla-
tors and officials, judiciary and diplo-
mats, soldiers and sailors, veterans
and civilians, old age and youth,
wealth and poverty, fame and obscur-
ity, aristocracy and democracy, came,
as usual, to pay respect and express
good wishes to the Chief Magis-
trate.
Without the Mansion the scene was
bleak and slushy and cold although
the weather predictions had done
all in their power to make it bright
But within everything was cheerful
enough. All the State apartments
were thrown open and were ablaze
with gas jets, and blooming with
flowers, One thousand trees and pots
Of plants had been brought from the
conservatory for decoration.
AS the President was Just recover
ing from another rheumatic attack
which had kept him prisoner for
more than a week, it was thought he
would not be able to endure the whole
ordeal of the three hours of hand
shaking, but would be compelled to
retire from fatigue before the recep.
ton was over. His condition was the
cause of much solicitude on the part
Of Mrs. Cleveland and the Cabinet Of
ficers who wanted him to remain
seated during the intervals between
the reception OF various bodies. He
would not yield to their wishes, how
ever, but stood up to his task bravely
until the last, though he was very tired
After the officials had passed
through the public was received, anC
visitors then came in, from actua
count, at the rate OF 800 to every tel
minutes. The throng soon became
dense inside the mansion. The Blu
Room, in which the receiving part,
stood, became sufocatingly warm ant
the perspiration rolled from the Presi
dents face in streams. The corridor
= were choked with people, and befor
the police could induce them to NOV
! into the East Room, some ladies faint
Q ed.
, This was the first time since 1873
: when presidents wife has appears
: at New Years reception in tn
e White House, and the first in thirt
years since Democratic President
S wife has presided there, 1857 being tn
: last year that President and Mr.
a Pierce were at the Executive Mansion
n Consequently the pleasure expresse
/ at having so young lady as Mr.
o Cleveland there is not matter of SUI
@ prise. One member OF the Corps Dil
d lomatique tells a story about anothe
n enthusiastic diplomat who was SO d,
O lighted with Mrs. Cleveland, that, a
O ter shaking hands with her, he test
/ fed his admiration by kissing the il
, sid e OF his own hand which had toucl
# ed hers.
e The elderly Senator from Vernon
J. Mr.. Morrill,, who is, OF course, R
d publican, expressed his approval
= Mrs. Cleveland in the following cha
d acteristic way. Said he: "Whi
it there is difference OF opinion as
s those holding some of the places Il
!, President has filled by appoinmen
v the vacancy he had chosen to fill
4 selection OF lady to preside at IL
n White House is acceptable to ever
one"
When this was repeated to IL
President he said cordially 81 a
glad they did not try to thwart me
4 that" "You did not ask the advi
re and consent OF the Senate in that ma
IL ter" suggested lady present. an
a. indeed, l didn't" calculated M
le Cleveland, as if very thankful that Il
5e Constitution of the United States d
p not make it obligatory.
ID 1t is too early to say what effect IL
T. death OF General Logan will ha'
n upon his party, but the opinion
T. freely expressed here that the Repu
, lican organization of Illinois will
n seriously broken by the loss OF
Of trusted leader, so much so as to rend
D. the capture of the state to the Dem
Gratis, at the next election, more tn,
~ probable. By that time it will
. thirty years since an Illinois Dem
A. crat was elected to the United Stat
IN Senate and the scramble for the plac
ie with the Sigh test chances OF succe
would be unprecedented.
y ~ AN EXTRAORDINARY OFFER.
a To All Wanting ABANDONMENT